JP2006098646A - Toner collection container and cleaning device provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner collection container contributing to the miniaturization and the reduction of cost of equipment by effectively using the capacity of a collection toner storing part so that a full state can be realized, and directly and surely detecting the full state. <P>SOLUTION: The toner collection container 40 mounted in the cleaning device 18 is equipped with the 1st storing part 41 having an auxiliary storing part 41a so as to store collected toner T, the 2nd storing part 42 storing the collected toner from the 1st storing part, and a photointerrupter 50 detecting the collected toner stored in the 2nd storing part so as to detect the full state. The base of the 2nd storing part is formed as an inclined surface 42c where the collected toner carried in/dropped to a boundary wall 42a side with the 1st storing part side is forcibly slid to an outer wall 42b side, and a window for detection 44 having a narrow-width shaped part 44a which can be inserted between the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the photointerrupter 50 and made of light transmissive material is attached to the outer wall. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner recovery container and a cleaning device equipped with the toner storage container, and more particularly to a device capable of reliably detecting that the recovery unit is full.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrophotographic recording type image forming apparatus that exposes and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a carrier made of a photoreceptor is known. In this image forming apparatus, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner. The toner image on the surface of the carrier carried in this manner is transferred to a recording medium such as recording paper to form an image. This electrostatic latent image can be developed with toner by rotating the developing roller facing the surface of the carrier to transfer the toner on the circumferential surface of the roller to adhere it.

  This type of image forming device is equipped with a cleaning device that collects residual toner on the surface of the carrier in a toner recovery container, and detects that the toner recovery container is full of recovered toner (waste toner). When this happens, a predetermined maintenance request is made by notifying an error or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Further, in the cleaning device mounted on the image forming apparatus, the collected toner stored in the toner storage container has been mechanically damaged during the development process and the like. Yes. Further, if the collected toner is left in a collected state, it becomes a large particle size and the fluidity is further lowered. Therefore, it is difficult to store the collected toner in a state where the upper surface is smoothed. In addition, the capacity of the toner container cannot be used effectively. For this reason, it has been proposed to accommodate the recovered toner while applying vibration to smooth the upper surface (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-66801 A JP 2000-122503 A

  Here, in the toner recovery container described in the above-mentioned document 1, the flag-shaped detection member is rotated by the toner that is mechanically full, and the rotation of the detection member is performed by an optical type such as a photo interrupter. A mechanism that detects the fullness of the collected toner by optical detection by the sensor is employed.

  However, in such a conventional toner recovery container, a mechanism for detecting the fullness of the recovered toner is installed in the storage portion of the recovered toner, so that the entire capacity of the storage portion is used up effectively. Before it is detected as full. For this reason, useless space remained, which hindered downsizing of the device.

  In the past, the mechanical and optical sensor mechanisms were combined to detect the fullness of the collected toner. However, it is more reasonable to use a mechanism that can be detected directly using only the optical sensor, which reduces costs. You can also plan.

  Further, if a mechanism for applying vibration such as the toner collection container described in the above-mentioned document 2 is adopted, the apparatus becomes large and the cost is increased, and the collected toner leaks due to the vibration and contaminates the inside of the apparatus. There is a risk that.

  In view of the above, the present invention fills the capacity of the collected toner container without using vibrations, etc., and then fills it up, and the optical sensor can detect the fullness directly and reliably. An object of the present invention is to provide a toner recovery container and a cleaning device that can contribute to downsizing and cost reduction.

  A first invention of a toner recovery container that solves the above problems includes a first storage unit that stores recovered toner, and a collection toner that is in a predetermined amount or more in the first storage unit from the first storage unit. Unloading means for unloading, a second storage portion for storing the recovered toner transported from the first storage portion, and detecting that the recovered toner stored in the second storage portion is stored in a predetermined amount or more A toner collecting container comprising: a detecting unit configured to carry out the collecting toner from the upper part of the second storage unit into the second storage unit and drop the toner; 2 is disposed on the side away from the collected toner carry-in side of the storage unit, and an angle for forcibly moving the collected toner from the collected toner carry-in side to the detection means side on the bottom surface of the second storage unit An inclined slope is formed at And it is characterized in that they are.

  According to the present invention, two storage portions for the collected toner are prepared, and the collected toner exceeding the set amount in the first storage portion, for example, exceeding the full capacity, is transferred into the second storage portion, and the set amount in the second storage portion. When the collected toner is stored, fullness is detected. The fullness of the collected toner is detected when the collected toner is carried in and dropped from the upper part of the second storage unit and forcibly slides in the direction of separating the slope on the bottom surface from the dropping position and accumulates more than a set amount. Therefore, by setting the first storage portion to a large capacity and setting the second storage portion to a small capacity, the storage volume of the storage portion can be used effectively. In addition, the second storage unit can reliably detect the fullness by forcibly moving to and collecting the collected toner to a position where it is detected.

  In addition to the specific matters of the first invention, the second invention of the toner collection container that solves the above-mentioned problem is that the inclined surface formed on the bottom surface of the second housing portion is inclined at an angle greater than the repose angle of the collected toner. It is set so that it may do.

  According to the present invention, the slope of the bottom surface of the second storage portion is inclined more than the angle of repose of the collected toner, that is, an angle capable of maintaining stability, and the collected toner that has fallen there is forcibly slid down and moved. . Therefore, the collected toner is forcibly accumulated at the full detection position, and full detection can be reliably detected.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, in addition to the specific matter of the first or second aspect, the detection means is located at a position lower than the fall position of the collected toner on the bottom surface of the second storage portion. And is installed so as to detect the collected toner.

  In the present invention, the collected toner collected in the second storage portion is detected below the position where the slope of the bottom surface of the second storage portion falls. Accordingly, it is possible to detect the collected toner that has been forcibly slid down and collected, and the collected toner is set in the second container without waiting for the collected toner carried into the second container to move accidentally. It is possible to immediately detect that more than the amount has been loaded.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner collecting container for solving the above-mentioned problems. In addition to the specific matters of any one of the first to third aspects, the detecting means is configured such that the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion face each other at close positions. An optical sensor that detects the presence or absence of the collected toner by blocking light between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and the second storage unit is optically arranged on the side away from the collected toner carry-in side. A narrow-shaped part capable of flowing in the collected toner is formed while facing the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part of the sensor, and at least the narrow-shaped part is formed of a translucent material.

  In the present invention, the collected toner carried into the second housing portion is forcibly moved to the side away from the carrying-in side and flows into the narrow shape portion between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor. As the carry-in amount increases, it accumulates in the narrow shape portion. At least the narrow-shaped part of the second housing part is formed of a light-transmitting material that transmits light, and when the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the optical sensor are shielded from light, the fullness of the collected toner is detected. Therefore, it is possible to detect the fullness of the collected toner by directly detecting the collected toner accumulated in the second storage portion by a set amount or more by the optical sensor.

  An invention of a cleaning device that solves the above-described problems is the toner collection container in which the toner collection container according to any one of the first to fourth inventions is mounted, and the toner is collected from the surface of the carrier that carries the toner on the surface. It collect | recovers and accommodates in the 1st accommodating part of this.

  In the present invention, even in a cleaning device that collects (cleans) the toner from the toner carrier, it is possible to effectively use the storage capacity of the storage portion of the recovered toner or to detect the fullness of the recovered toner directly by the optical sensor. Can do. Therefore, it can be mounted on, for example, an electrophotographic recording type image forming apparatus as a small and inexpensive cleaning apparatus.

  As described above, according to the present invention, two recovery toner storage portions are prepared, and the recovery toner transferred to the second storage portion is detected by detecting that the first storage portion is filled with the recovery toner. Can be detected. The collected toner transferred into the second storage portion is forcibly stored at the full detection position, and can be detected reliably. Therefore, it is possible to detect fullness after the capacity of the collected toner container is used up effectively, and it is possible to save useless space and contribute to downsizing of the device.

  Further, the optical sensor can directly detect the collected toner accumulated in the second storage unit, and the fullness can be detected. Therefore, a mechanism for mechanically detecting the collected collected toner can be omitted, the fullness of the collected toner can be detected at low cost and with high reliability, and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 are views showing an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with an embodiment of a cleaning device having a toner recovery container according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus is a printer that is used by connecting to an external apparatus such as a personal computer that creates and outputs an image such as a character. The image forming apparatus is an image such as a character of a target image to be imaged. An image recording apparatus that receives data and records and forms the recording sheet (recording medium) on one or both sides of the recording sheet (recording medium) by an electrophotographic method, and transports a plurality of stacked recording sheets to the image recording apparatus and records and forms an image. And a sheet conveying device for carrying the recording sheet out of the apparatus and stacking it.

  Briefly, the image recording device is a laser beam scanning device 11 that scans the laser beam L based on the image data, and the image data of the target image that is irradiated and scanned with the laser beam L from the laser beam scanning device 11. A photosensitive drum (carrying member) 12 on which an electrostatic latent image based on the surface is exposed and formed, and a charger for charging the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 12 so that an electrostatic latent image can be formed by irradiation with laser light L 13 and a developing cartridge for each color that contains toner of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) and develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 12 with a developing device. 14a, a rotary developing device 14 for operating the developing cartridge 14a in an installation space 14b for each color, and a toner image of a target image developed on the photosensitive drum 12. The intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer medium) 15 that forms a toner image (monochrome image or color image) that can be transferred and recorded on the recording sheet and the conveyed recording sheet are sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15. A transfer roller 16 that transfers the target image toner image carried by the intermediate transfer belt 15 onto a recording sheet that is nipped and conveyed, and the target image toner image has been transferred and conveyed by pressure contact (nip) and conveyed downstream. The recording paper is heated and pressed to fix the toner image, and the fixing roller pair 17 for nipping and conveying the recording paper further downstream, and the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 12 are collected by the cleaning blade 18a. And a cleaning device 18 for storage. Note that the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the transfer roller 16 and the fixing roller pair 17 of the image recording apparatus also have a function of conveying a recording sheet, and thus constitute a part of a sheet conveying apparatus described below. .

  Briefly, the paper transport device is detachably set at the lower part of the main body of the device, a paper cassette 21 on which a plurality of recording papers are stacked, and a recording paper bundle raised by a lifting plate 21a on the bottom surface of the paper cassette 21. The pickup roller 22 that pulls out the uppermost recording paper and sends it to the transport path by rotating to press against a separation pad (not shown) while being pressed against the recording pad, and receives the recording paper sent out by the pickup roller 22 further downstream The intermediate transfer belt 15 and the transfer roller 16 of the image recording apparatus which receive the recording paper conveyed by the intermediate conveyance roller pair 23a and 23b and the intermediate conveyance roller pair 23a and 23b into the conveyance path. The registration roller pair 24 nipped and conveyed to the image recording (transfer) position, and the resist A recording sheet on which a fixed image is formed is received by being conveyed through a conveyance path passing between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the transfer roller 16 and between the fixing roller pair 17 from the roller pair 24, and discharged from the upper part of the apparatus main body. A pair of paper discharge rollers 26a and 26b that are unloaded, discharged and stacked on the table 25 are provided. The sheet conveying apparatus reverses the recording sheet on which an image is formed on one side and sends it to the conveying path on the upstream side of the registration roller pair 24 and the pair of intermediate conveying rollers disposed in the path. 27, and the intermediate conveyance roller pair 27 receives the recording paper sent into the re-conveying path by reversing the paper discharge roller pair 26a, 26b and transfers it to the registration roller pair 24, thereby recording paper. Images can be formed on both sides.

  As a result, the image forming apparatus allows one or both sides of the recording paper that has been conveyed via the intermediate transfer belt 15 to have a toner image developed by developing the electrostatic latent image by attaching toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12. The image can be formed by transferring to the side.

  In this image forming apparatus, the developing cartridge 14a in the rotary developing device 14 rotates the developing roller 14c facing the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 with a gap in synchronism with the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface. The toner is developed by transferring and adhering the toner to the toner, and the supply roller 14d rotating in the toner storage space of the developing cartridge 14a is pressed against the developing roller 14c to rotate the toner. To supply. Further, the rotary developing device 14 is configured to switch the developing cartridge 14a that rotates about the rotating shaft 14e and opposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 12, so that yellow (Y), cyan (C), A color image formed by superimposing magenta (M) and black (K) toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 is transferred to a recording sheet, or a monochrome image formed by black (K) toner is transferred to a recording sheet. To form an image.

  In this image forming apparatus, the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 12 is collected by the cleaning device 18 to ensure image quality, and the residual toner is prevented from being scattered and contaminated in the apparatus main body. The toner is collected in a toner collecting container 40 shown in FIG. 2, and the toner (residual toner) full (set amount) of the collected toner (residual toner) is detected by a photo interrupter (optical sensor) 50, so that this toner can be notified by error notification or the like. Maintenance such as replacement of the collection container 40 and the cleaning device 18 is requested. Here, the toner collection container 40 is mounted on the cleaning device 18 installed on the photosensitive drum 12 side, and this will be described as an example. Needless to say, a similar cleaning device may be installed on the intermediate transfer belt 15 side.

  The toner collecting container 40 is inserted into and extracted from the front side (the surface side of the paper surface in FIG. 1) in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 14e of the rotary developing device 14 (the insertion direction is indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2). The photosensitive drum 12 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. When the apparatus is mounted on the apparatus main body, the cleaning blade 18a slides on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 to remove the residual toner on the surface. It collect | recovers by scraping in the accommodating part 41. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the toner recovery container 40 includes a first storage portion 41 set to a large capacity so as to store the residual toner T scraped off from the surface of the photosensitive drum 12, and the first storage portion. The auxiliary accommodating part 41a set to a minimum capacity so as to function as an auxiliary for the part 41, and a first adjacent to the auxiliary accommodating part 41a of the first accommodating part 41 set to a minimum capacity (see FIG. 5). 2 accommodating portions 42. As a result, in the toner collection container 40, the collected toner (waste toner) T stored in the first storage unit 41 is immediately carried out and carried into the second storage unit 42, and the first storage unit 41 becomes full. In spite of this, the structure is such that the collected toner T is prevented from accumulating in the second storage portion 42. For example, even if the collected toner T in the first storage unit 41 accumulates in a mountain shape, it usually collapses due to some vibration accompanying the driving operation, and the mountain shape becomes gentle. Even if T is carried out, the structure is such that it can be avoided that the T is carried into the auxiliary housing part 41 a and is immediately carried into the second housing part 42.

  Here, the agitation / conveyance screw 43 is installed in the toner recovery container 40 so as to be parallel to the photosensitive drum 12, and the agitation / conveyance screw 43 includes the first accommodation portion 41, the auxiliary accommodation portion 41a, and the like. It is inserted into a communication hole 43a formed so that the opening positions thereof coincide with each other at the upper part of the second accommodating part 42 and is rotatably supported. When the agitating / conveying screw 43 is attached to the apparatus main body, the recovered toner T is driven to rotate in synchronism with the image forming operation by engaging the driving gear 43b on one end side with a transmission gear (not shown) on the apparatus main body side. Transport. As a result, when the collected toner T accommodated in the first accommodating portion 41 is full, the toner collecting container 40 is filled with the auxiliary accommodating portion 41a and then the first accommodating portion 41 (auxiliary accommodating portion 41a). The collected toner T carried out from the toner is carried into the adjacent second storage portion 42 and dropped. That is, the agitation / conveyance screw 43 carries out the full (set amount) or more of the collected toner T collected in the first storage unit 41 from the first storage unit 41 including the auxiliary storage unit 41a to the second storage unit. Unloading means for loading into 42 is configured.

  The second accommodating portion 42 is separated from the boundary wall 42a with respect to the auxiliary accommodating portion 41a in the axial direction of the stirring / conveying screw 43 (conveying direction of the collected toner T) and the photo interrupter 50. A space for accommodating the collected toner T is defined between the outer wall 42b and the auxiliary wall 41b. The auxiliary wall 41b is located at the bottom of the bottom surface defining the accommodation space. An inclined surface 42c is formed so that the boundary wall 42a adjacent to the uppermost wall has the highest height. As shown in FIG. 4, the inclined surface 42 c of the second storage portion 42 has an angle of repose that serves as a narrow angle between the flat surface and the inclined surface when the collected toner T is intended to form as high a mountain as possible on the flat surface. (Accumulation angle) It is set to be inclined at θ or more, and the collected toner T that is carried to the boundary wall 42a side in the second storage portion 42 and falls is forcibly slipped and moved to the outer wall 42b side. It can be accumulated at the detection position of the photo interrupter 50.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the second housing portion 42 is configured to attach a photo interrupter 50 by installing a detection window 44 at a position facing the inclined surface 42 c of the outer wall 42 b. The photo interrupter 50 detects the presence or absence of a detection target (collected toner T) between a pair of cases 51 formed in a U-shape so that each of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit can be stored. Thus, the detection object is detected based on whether or not the detection light path R for receiving the light emitted from the light emitting unit in the case 51 by the light receiving unit is shielded. Therefore, the detection window 44 of the second housing portion 42 can be inserted between the facing cases 51, and at the same time, a translucent plastic is used so as to have a narrow-shaped portion 44a into which the collected toner T can flow. It is made by molding.

  Further, the detection window 44 is formed with a recessed portion 44b into which the case 51 can be inserted on both sides of the narrow portion 44a at a position facing the lower portion of the inclined surface 42c. The narrow portion 44 a is formed so that it can be inserted between the cases 51 without making it difficult for the collected toner T to flow into the main body 42 away from the storage space for the collected toner T. .

  As a result, the space between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the photo interrupter 50 (between the cases 51) can be secured only about 8 mm at most, and the thickness of the light transmitting material such as acrylic and polycarbonate and the insertion gap are taken into consideration. Then, the inflow width of the collected toner T in the narrow-shaped part 44a becomes considerably narrow, about 3 mm, but the collected toner T is carried into the second storage part 42 from above by the stirring / conveying screw 43. Then, it is forcibly slid toward the outer wall 42b on the slope 42c that is dropped near the boundary wall 42a and inclined at an angle greater than the repose angle, and is defined in the space defined between the detection window 44 and the detection wall 44. Accumulate. The collected toner T collected on the detection window 44 side is collected (leaved) as it is without slipping down after the fall because the photo interrupter 50 is installed below the uppermost drop position of the slope 42c. Immediately before the situation where the fluidity is lost or the particle size is increased due to moisture absorption, the light is immediately collected and accumulated in the narrow shape portion 44a between the cases 51 of the photo interrupter 50. And the light receiving portion (detection optical axis R) are shielded from light. Therefore, in the toner collection container 40, the collected toner T cannot flow into the narrow shape portion 44a and cannot be directly detected by the photo interrupter 50, and the collected toner T that has flowed into the narrow shape portion 44a. Thus, it is possible to detect that the space between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion is shielded, and reliably and reliably detect that the first accommodating portion 41 including the auxiliary accommodating portion 41a is full. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the detection optical axis R of the photo interrupter 50 is collected by the collected toner T carried into the second storage portion 42 after the storage space of the first storage portion 41 is filled with the recovered toner T. It is possible to detect that the first storage portion 41 is full and to detect the fullness of the first receiving portion 41 reliably and reliably. Therefore, it is possible to design the toner collection container 40 on the assumption that the storage space of the first storage portion 41 including the auxiliary storage portion 41a can be used up effectively. A small cleaning device 18 without a large space can be obtained. Further, since the fullness of the collected toner can be directly detected only by the photo interrupter 50, a mechanical mechanism for detecting the collected toner T can be omitted, and the small cleaning device 18 can be made at low cost.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described so far, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented in various forms within the scope of the technical idea. For example, this image forming apparatus can be applied not only to a printer but also to a facsimile or a copier using an electrophotographic system.

1 is a perspective front view showing a schematic overall configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with an embodiment of a cleaning device including a toner recovery container according to the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the cleaning apparatus. It is a figure which shows the principal part structure, and is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which passes along the site | part which detects the collection | recovery toner in the accommodating part. It is a conceptual diagram explaining the angle of repose of the collected toner. It is a figure which shows the principal part structure, and is a cross-sectional view which passes along the site | part which detects the collection | recovery toner in the accommodating part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Laser beam scanning device 12 Photoconductor drum 13 Charger 14 Rotary developing device 14a Developing cartridge 14c Developing roller 15 Intermediate transfer belt 16 Transfer roller 17 Fixing roller pair 18 Cleaning device 18a Cleaning blade 40 Toner collection container 41 First container 41a Auxiliary Storage portion 42 Second storage portion 42c Slope 43 Agitating / conveying screw 44 Detection window 44a Narrow shape portion 44b Recess shape portion 50 Photointerrupter L Laser light T Toner

Claims (5)

A first storage unit that stores the collected toner, a discharge unit that discharges the collected toner in a predetermined amount or more from the first storage unit, and a recovery that is discharged from the first storage unit. A toner collection container comprising: a second storage unit that stores toner; and a detection unit that detects that the recovery toner stored in the second storage unit is stored in a predetermined amount or more.
The carry-out means is arranged so as to carry the collected toner into the second containing part from the upper part of the second containing part and fall, and the detecting means is located on the side away from the collected toner carrying-in side of the second containing part. Has been placed,
A toner collecting container, characterized in that an inclined surface inclined at an angle for forcibly moving the collected toner from the carried-in side of the collected toner toward the detecting means side is formed on the bottom surface of the second housing portion.   The toner collecting container according to claim 1, wherein an inclined surface formed on a bottom surface of the second storage portion is set to be inclined at an angle equal to or greater than an angle of repose of the collected toner.   3. The toner collection container according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is installed so as to detect the collected toner at a position lower than a dropped position of the collected toner on the bottom surface of the second storage unit. The detection means is composed of an optical sensor that detects the presence or absence of recovered toner by facing the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit at close positions and blocking light between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit,
The second storage portion is formed with a narrow-shaped portion that allows the collected toner to flow in while facing the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the optical sensor on the side separated from the collected toner carry-in side, and at least the narrow shape The toner recovery container according to claim 1, wherein the portion is made of a light-transmitting material. The toner collection container according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is mounted,
A cleaning device that collects and stores toner from a surface of a carrier carrying toner on a surface in a first storage portion of the toner recovery container.

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